Headlight-adjuster for vehicles.



STATES PATENr OFFICE;

rnmnaoxn NESBIT soumns, or 'rn'xaman, NEBRASKA.

HEADLIGHT-ADJUSTER FOR VEHICL] is.

fers forVe] icles, of which the following is a specification, referencebeing had therein 'to t e accompanying drawing.

invention relates to improvements in headlightadjusters for vehicles,more particula'i'l motor vehicles of the type or character a ap'ted toadjust the lamps automatically in accordance with the turning movementof the front or steering wheels of the vehicle. y

Inmy prior patent, No. 1,032,309, dated July, 9 19 12,Ihavelillustrated, described and claimed a device of the characteruncler consideration which has pro'ven quite practical,- and highlysatisfactory in use, and it'is' the main object of the presentinventiontoimprove upon the type of apparatusj illustrated in thesaidpatent, whereby toohtain even; reater efiiciency and more satisfactoryresu ts.

-One of the objects of the present invention is to provide an attachmentof the characterunder consideration for properly adjustingthe lamps, thesaid attachment being of a character to more uniformly effect movementof the lights simultaneously, and

of a, character adapted to overcome the usual vibration 'ofthe lampsincident to adjusting 'ectitj ns and as heretofore largelyem- Gel?med-that because of the peculiar conbetween the steeringmechanism and '1'ps any jarring movement? of the mechan sm andconnections incidentingjo'ver' rough surfaces and the like l argelyfiinpartedto the lampswith the rethat the latter will not be maintained which is objectionablenot only be lighting effect, but

1 e of the unsteady hau's alsdjbecaus e the jar often results inbreakage or damagea) the lamp parts, and when'oi-l iseniployed as thelight creating medium,the lamps oftentimes go out? It "is tliei gefor eproposed by the present invention to pifYvide' novel and improved operai"era-ms, bet'ween the steering mechatljiistable lamps, with the result ywill be maintained steady at Specificationof Letters Patent.

'ciently yieldabh to accom'p In this connection, it has been as} 1'atentecl Feb. 20, 1917.

- Application filed June 2.7, 1916. Serial No. 106,1l8.

all times regardless of jarring or vibratory In carrying 01 .t the abovefeature of tlie invention, the adjusting connection interpose d betweenthe steering mechanism and the lamps conver iently takes the form ofleverage mechanis n, the connections between the various part; being ofa highly flexible character, with the resultthat while strength anddurability are maintained, at the same time, the various )arts aresuflilish the above satisfactory resu ts.

As ,in my prior patent, it is proposed to attach the adj us ;ingmechanism to the axle of thevehicle, but such attachment in the improvedconstriction herein is of a character making pc ssible the connectionwithout drilling or otherwise altering the axle part, and the co mectionis such as to make the attachment a pplicable to axles of various typeswithout changing or injuring the latter.

It is also proposed by the present invention,.to operativ'ely connecttheadjusting mechanism for the lamps with the usual tie and projectingbetween the steering mechanism of the re apective front wheels at apoint'substantially centrally or midway between the ends of said tierod, with the result that regard less of any variation in the movementor ad ustment of the tie rod at its opposite ends, t. 1e actuatingmechanism for the lamps will be uniform or equal in opposite directions.

Another feature of the invention includes a novel supporting means forthe lamps whereby the sal 1e. may readily rotate without undue fric ion,and novel supporting connection between the levers and. said lampswhereby :he actuation of the latter is more direct and uniform.

Still further and other improvements and novel details iii theconstruction and arin this iionnection however, that minor changes. indetails and arrangement of parts may be resorted to and still be withinthe s1.).ir,i-t and contemplation of the invention.

'Inthe drawings t Figure 1 is a front elevation of the device Ioperatively connected with a motor vehicle. Figifil is an enlargeddetail view partly in section. of the lamp support. the latter beingbroken away.

-Fig's. l3 and 4; are top o't' the adjusting mehanism enlarged.

. Fig. 5 is a detail'vievv enlarged of one of thetiexible connectionsbetween the lever parts ,lWtt'h more particular reference. to thedrawings wherein hkereterence nume 'als refer to corresponding partsthroughout the several views. 1 .is a tie rod or connecting rod'of anyapproved.t vpeQthe same being connected With the steering mechanism asusual. whereby to impart simultaneous turning movement to the front orsteering wheels of themotor vehicle. '2 is an axle. 3

a radiator frame and .4; suitable bracket sup ports extending from orconstituting part otthe fraine \,vork of the machine. Lamp .brackc'ts 17are providedlthe latter lliH'illfl' -a shank or stem 18 having: "a lowerthreaded terminal 191 Suitable supports 20 are pro vided having anangled downward extension '31- having a threaded terminal The extension'21 is adapted to fit in ai'i aperture ot' thee.supportin; bracket -t. anut 2;) being threaded to the part 32 of the extension. \vhcrebv tomaintain the support ill in fixed position upon the bracket 4f. the saidnut 2 cooperating with a shoulderedportion '24.

for this purpose.

;.l hicl1 ot' the supports 20 has an aperture for. thereception of theprojecting stem 18 of-thc lamp brackets. the \vall surroui-uling theaperture having an intermediate annular [shoulder part 25 o-t'a diametersomewhat greater than the diameter of the'steni 18.

whereby to provide a space. between these parts for the reception ot-asleeve 26. the

latter. havin at its upper end an: annular shoulder or flange.- 2'7overlying the upper surface of the shoulderi. A suitable \vear.-,.pl'ate or,. v a sher 2S is'adapted to underlie the undeisurt'aceotsaid shoulder '25 and to rest upona l'ttilllltng nut "29 threaded upon.the lo ver end'lot the upright support o1 [stem 18\ot' the lampbracket. A suitable avasherBO havnr; an'annular series of anti-'friction bearings 31 is"interposed between the upper surface of theshoulder or flange 25.-- and the shoulder or fiai1 e'e.2T. and a similarwasher 3 .'2 having ball hearings on isinterposed between the lower oruudersur face of said shoulder or iangc "25' and said \vashcr'lS. Thestem '18 otthe bracket has an annular shoulder 34 overl \'"in;r theflange '27 ot' the sleeve -JCx-and interposedbetween plan vieivs ofparts4 said shoulder and the flange 27 is a sleeve member 35 positioned onthe stem-18 of the lamp hracket'and having an offset part engage anoffset part of said stem 18, whereby to form a locking connectionbetween the lamp bracket stem 18 and the sleeve member 35\vitlrtheresult that these parts will rotate together while permittingof relative sliding movement, to the end thatv From the constructionthusfar described 3 the parts maybe separated as desired;

it will be observed that the lamps. aaiga ported in relatively fixedposit-ion thrhngfr the medium of the main support 20 and at" the sametime, the lamp brackets 17, are fri' for rotatable movement in saidsupports.

' and the particular bearing for the lamp brackets makes this rotatableadjustment a noiseless one and free fronranysubstantial friction, withthe result that as the lamps 5 are operated by the steeringimecha'i'iism through the medmm oi the leverage co'nn'e'ction tobe'descril'ted. snbstan tiallv iioaddi -f tional strain is impartedto'the steering mechanism. and at the same time substan 'go tiall nozulditional. eti'hrt or labor on-the 'part of the operator in thesteering tit-the" car is required 'to i lliHllinllGOHSl Y 'atljust the.wheels and the lamps.

The leverage .conncction between thesteer- 9'5 4 innmcchanism and thelamp brackets' will now be described. v A suitable clampis ada'ited'twbe applied.

to the axle pretcrabl \"-to one side of the.

renter thereof. and said clamp in the pr ee. 101:

terred form takes the torn: "a Usliaped' lower member 3'13 and a lowPlate lT.--th'e= arms of the U-shaped member -passinu through 'a erturesin the plate and la insl' threaded at their ends,whereby: to. Pooch-p.105.;

securing nuts 38 to rigidly secure the rhunp about the axle. This't vpeot' clamp will be appreciated. applicable to mos the ordinary axles atpresent inuse. \vitl out the-necessity ot' drilling or ot lir-ru'isoaltering the constructimrof the aixle. Rrt

jecting upwardly from the chi mp is acen -e tral boss it adapted toprovide,-apivotal:

ckuv arm 40. to one end of which isflpivotallv wi t-Illa; nected ah armfl adapted todieprrotally bearing" for a horizontally dispo ed connected"at 42 to the tie. .rod orconncctiiur rod 1 ot the steering:- inechamsmat; apoint, midway betvvcen the ends of the latter. lu. ..,v

connection betvvccn; the arm t1 au'dmhc con- .120 net-ting rod 1 bent;nml\va .vf1the. -en.ds ot' rook arm 41 pivotall vmounted at ifi upiinthe framework of the machine, conveniently the radiator frame. Pivotallyconnected to the upperend of the rock arm l-l is an actuatmghrmitihaving a pivotal connection at 4TKv;it.h it lic rear end of the plate 35mounted upon the lamp bracket supporting stem 18 and projectingrearwardly from the latter dgtgis nnderstood of course, that theoppositeda mnbnacket has mounted thereon a plate tiisomnjllat similar inconstruction to the, plate. .35 and projecting rearwardlyfroni'thelaiiip bracket, and a connecting rod 48 projectsfbetween theplates and 35 andlmspii otal connection with each of said plates, withthe result that any movement imparted to,thearm and in turn to the lamp.braoket will be transmitted to the platelaofand tli e cooperating lampbracket.

The rotatable,movement of both lamp bracle et sjwill" thereforecorrespond. g, tlis quite, desirable that the variouspivota'coimectiorrs'; between the leve'r parts be *such asvto:perniitgof yieldability and at the same timefperinit of. universalplay, and 'these v'arious c onnec"tions' being generally inclica te q'lbi the re'ference character (a) be- ,ml construction, a description ofenema fiic'e' io'r' all. Take for instance, the rock $11, the same hasat one end a "thijeaded recessed portion adapted to receive a,thrctjded, o1" which latter terminates at itsiippq end in a suitableball pirot' ezel i nfa 'snitabl e ls oc-ket member 51, where- 1w; r, to;have un versal relative movement. BE' TIiesocket n'iember 51conveniently takes the form of a "tube and has a slotted guide- "If fise -any to a'llow for longitudinal ofithel'gin tSl and the partsconnected ll. suitablespring tends to stain the ball in one of itsposis. ar

itsjopposite end has a thread- ,wl e'reby to receive a thread "'ni orpart 46. I

maps-"ranger slight relative movebetiieenfltheseparts, and it will salsobe"'a preciiated that the spring connection endof tlr'e 'arms cooperateswith the djt stiri'ientj The tubular socket rotatable lamp supports,steering mechanism end of said lock arm and one of said lamp' net theopposite end of the v ushi'omng effect regardless of and that suchvibration will notbe transmitted to the lamps, but the latter will bemaintained lirm and steady. The OPEIZL'llOIl may be briefly reviewed as7 follows:- Assuming that the steering mechanism is operated to turn thefront on steering wheels of the vehicle in one direction or the other; i

the tie rod 1, will be moved longitudinally according to the desiredmovement which i will result ii a longitudinal movement {of the arm 41and a rocking movement of the arm 4'0. This movement of the arm 40 wilLresult in a longitudinal movementqof the arm $3 in a lirection oppositeto the movement of the arm 41 and will also result in the rockingmovement of the arm 44 which latter in turn will impart longitudinalmove I ment to the actuating arm 46 in adirection opposite to tl 1emovement of the arm 43, and in the same direction as a connecting arm 1with the r :sult that the respective lam )s through the ,nedinr'n of aconnection 48 will be simultaneously moved in the same direction as thewheels. I g

vThe attacl ment is suchas'to result in a very easy ani accuratemanipulation oft-he lamps, and-v'ithout interfering with any of thecustomary attachments on the motor vehicle, i

Vhat I claim is 1; In a motor vehicle, the combination with a st'eeri.ig apparatus, including a connecting rod letween the wheels, a -fron'taxle and rota-table lamp supponts mounted on't-he I 6 vehicle, of'a rockarm pivotally mounted in- I termediate it; ends upon the axle to oneside of the center thereof and having at one end' an operativeconnection with the connecting rodmidway of the endsofthe-latt'er.auxiliary rock armconnected to the body of g the vehicle, an armconnecting the other-end of the first mentioned rock arm with one end"of the auxiliary rock arm, a connecting arm pivotally coI nected ato(apposite endsto tlu 1 1amp'suppor1s, and a r secured at one 'e'l'rd"to one of tha lamp supports and pirot'ally connected at its opposite endto the other end of the atxiliary rock arm. i

2. In a me tor vehicle, the combination of including a connecting rod, arocky arnr mounted upcn the axle. a vield'able connection between oneend of said rock armaud 7 said connect ng rod. substantially midway-r201between the ends of the latter, operatirc yieldable connection betweenthe opposites;

supports, and operative connection betwcc'ir the respective lampsupports whereby theil25,

latterare simultaneouslv adjusted through the medium of said connectingrod. '3. In an :ittaclnnent for motor vehicles ha ring steeringmechanism including a onnecting-rod and rotatable lamp supports, pro.

[end of the auxiliary roe-l: arm and the l supports. vvlrereh v tooscillate the thecombination of a rock arm p-ivotally sup portedintermediate its ends. a rod projectmg from one end of the rock arm andconnectediit its opposite end to said connecting rod lit the centerthereof, an auxiliary rock arm. operative. eomna'tion; bet-ween one ampsame and operative connection between the opposite, endot saicl'rocl;arnrandithe free end of the first ,ment-ionetl rock a rm.

. Anattachment for motorvehicles having steering mechanism inclndingaconnecting r'0d eoinprising rotatable la mp supports.-

operative eoni'iection hetxvee-nthe lamp sup- ,pjorts whereby. rotatablemovement results in ,.r0tat ahle movement of the other. I

a11(l' '11'1e.iln$-f0r rotating one' of said lamp support-g nclarli'ngva suitably supported rock arm, an arm 'con-nected to one end of'thed-oeltamn and at the opposite end to the Connecting rod midwaybetween the ends of the latter.- and leverage connection 'hetwee'n theopposite end ot said rocksaid lamp supports.

5.1a amotor vehiiler the combination of lamp"brackets. siu aports' forthe latter. the brackets being mounted for rotatablemovementiiel'ative'to the supports. anti friction hearinirsinterposedbetween the brackets and said. supports. connection hetu'eenthe l'irackets.-wherein they are; sin'mltanemislv rotated. andmeans forrotating the brackets inclmling a vertically disposed. rock arm mountedon the frame of the vehicle. an arm v ieldah l v connectedat one onddothe upper end' of said-rock ar'ni' and' i'ieldaldy -coii-- nected at itsopposite end. *to the lamp bracket. a"connecting'ha'r between the re- 40speiitiv'e l-auip'brackets. an o ierative' connect ion between theopposite "end o l' the rock arm and the steering; mechanism! ti. lfnanfatti'ich-ment faqawmr vehicle's 1mm", .it t llll g" mechanismncluding a connectin'g 'rodfanil i'o tataj hle lamp sup orts. thecombination of a horizontaltv disposed rockairnf pivota ll v sum-wantintermei'liate a"rod pro ecting from one end o'l .movcmeul to the'othcr.a vertically disposed rock arm pivorally supported intermediate itsends. a rod ha vi'ng atone end an' ,eccen-. i'l ric connection with oneot the lamp brackets arm and-one of.

1 whereby to rotate the same and .comlectml at: its opposite end of therock arm. steering mechanism inch-lding' a connecting rodandleverageonnect'ion' hetiveen said connecting rod and the lower end ofthe rock arm. said last men-- tioned connection including a plurality ofi'ieihlahlyconnected arms.

v S. .lamp brackets n-iounied for rotatable adjustment. a connectingrodbetween the 'liracliets. a verticallydisposed rock arm pivoted to theframe of the vehicle adjacent one otsaid lamp hrackets. a rod movahly(-onnected at oneend to the upper end of said rock arm and at itsopposite end eccentrically to said lamp hrackot. a horizontaltv disposedrock arm mounted upon the front axle of the vehicle. steering: wheels. aconnecting rod between the steering: wheels. an arm secured to saidronnecting' rod suhstautially midivav hetiveen the ends thereof amlconnected to one end of said horizontally disposedrock armfand anauxiliary arm connected to the opposite end of said horizontallydisposed rock arm and to the lower end of the vertically disposed rock'ajrm.

' 9. In a motor vehicle. the comhimitioi'i of lamp lu'ackets mounted forrotatable ad-- justment. a connecting! rod hetu'een the} lira ckets. averticall disposed rock arm piv oted to the frame of the vehicleadjacei-it end to the upper operat ivel v In amotor vehicle. thecombination of one of said lamp brackets. a rod movalilv and vieldahlyconnected at -.one end tothc upper endof said rock arm and at its oppo:

sitecnd (a-centrically to said lamp bracket a liorizoi'itallvdisposedrock arm mounted upon tlie i'ro ift axle otthe vehicle.steering wheels.:1 connecting rod between the steers mg \vheels. an arm vieldahl vsecured to" saidconnecting rod substantially...midivav oc tween the endsthereof and connected to one end of said horizontally disposed rock arm.and an'auxi'lianv ar li vieldahl v-connor-ted to the opposite end ofsaid l1o1i7.( l1t:il.l disposed-rock arm and to the lower end ,of theverticall arm.

front axle to one side of the center thereof.

xontallv disposed rock arm pivoted intermediate its ends to said clamp.a support arranged centrally of said vconnecting rod.

disposed rock 10. in a motor vehicle, the combination ol a front axle. aclamp mounted upon the an arm extending longitudinally of saidconnecting rod and connected at one end to said support and at itsopposite end to said 'rock arm: a verticall) dispo ed; rock arnn alongumlmally extending connect ng arm-. }..lt0t\\'e0l l the lovve-r endof said la tmeu-tioiml 10; ii arm and the free end of the.tirstoueuioinal rock arm. and-connect ons'l etwcen e "'\e-ift icall v nnipflhrackets for rotating" the lattrr.

disposed rock arrrr-annl the 11. In a: headlight adjuster for automoarmadapted to be applied to steer-,i ngmechr biles, the combinat'1on ofoppositely disposed anism, and a 1 arm connected at one 9nd tosupportingmembers,lampsupportsincluding theopposite end of said rockarmand at a stem positionedjn recesses of said support- :its, oppositeund' to one ofsaid lilgs. 5 ing'membersfor relati'vorot'atable movement,In testimony ,whereofl afiix my signature 15w lugs sledved uponsaidstems formotatable invpresence c two witnesses.

movement therewith, a connecting rod be- PEMBROKE NESBIT. SQUI RETS.tween said lugs, a rock arm pivoted inter- Witnesses:

mediate its ends to u fixed support, an ac- M. S. MQGREW',

10 tl l'atingconnoction for one end of the rock I. WORKMA k

